How far is Altoona, IA from Ankeny, IA?
Fastest route
The route from Altoona, Iowa to Ankeny, Iowa is approximately 12.7 miles and takes about 19 minutes via I-35 N and S Ankeny Blvd.
Directions
- 🚗 Head south toward 8th St SW.
- 🔄 Turn left toward 8th St SW.
- ➡️ Turn right toward 8th St SW.
- ➡️ Turn right (signs for US-65 N/I-80/Mason City) to get on US-65 N.
- 🛣️ Take the ramp onto I-80 W and continue onto I-35 N.
- 🛣️ Take exit 90 for IA-160 W/SE Oralabor Rd toward Bondurant.
- ➡️ Follow IA-160 W/SE Oralabor Rd and S Ankeny Blvd to E 1st St.
Tips & Suggestions
- 📌 Pay attention to the signs for US-65 N/I-80/Mason City to ensure you're on the correct route.
- 🛣️ Merge onto I-35 N toward Minneapolis after taking exit 137B.
- 🚦 Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-80 W.
- 🗺️ Use IA-160 W/SE Oralabor Rd as your guide toward Bondurant.
- 🛣️ Pass by Perkins Restaurant & Bakery on the right in 0.7 mi on IA-160 W/SE Oralabor Rd.
- 🍽️ Jimmy John's will be on your left in 1.9 mi on S Ankeny Blvd.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 19m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Ankeny.
-
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
15 m · 3 sec · 1st Avenue South
-
2
Turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
2.3 mi · 4 min · 8th Street Southwest
-
3
Take the ramp right
1546 ft · 40 sec
-
4
Continue straight
1997 ft · 49 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
1023 ft · 13 sec · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
-
6
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
7
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
2714 ft · 1 min
-
9
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1758 ft · 43 sec
-
10
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
2751 ft · 52 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
4.7 mi · 5 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1602 ft · 39 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail
78 m · 8 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
-
15
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
-
16
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Ankeny.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 35 North
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
4.7 mi · 00h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km) and usually takes 00h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.7 miles from Altoona and 8 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.4 miles (15.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.96 one way or $3.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 9.38 mi (15.09 km).
#1 Altoona
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 19,503 |
| Coordinates | 41.6441600, -93.4646600 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ankeny
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 70,068 |
| Coordinates | 41.7297100, -93.6057700 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.42 | $4.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.